Method of making chlorin.



rm. 66mm Emma Dec 4, I900.

P. NAEF.

METHOD OF MAKING CHLQRHL (Application filed Aug. 7, 18871.);

(No Model.)

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No. 663,089. Patented Dec. 4, I900.

P. NAEF.

mzmon or MAKING CHLD-RIN.

(Applicatiun filed Aug. 7, 1897.) (Na Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

K11113 255 (fi W NITED STATES PATENT 'Orrrcn.

PAUL NAEF, OF NEW' YQRK, N. Y.

METHOD OF MAKING CHLORIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 663,089, dated December 4, 1900.

Application filed August '7, 1897. Serial No. 6 ;7A63. (No Specimensd To all whom it may concern;

Be it known thatl, PAUL NAEF, Ph. D., of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes for the Manufacture of Chlorin; and I do hereby declare the following to he a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My in vention relates to an improved process for the manufacture of chlorin, one object of the invention being the automatic and continuous production of chlorin from ammonium chlorid and magnesium chlorid and to reduce the cost of the manufacture of chlorin to a minimum.

A further object is to carry out the process of making chlorin from ammonium chlorid, so as to prevent loss of ammonia.

A further object is to perform the several steps in the process of making chlorin, so as to reduce the cost of fuel to a minimum.

A further object is to make the production of bleaching-powder from dilute chlorin gas a continuous operation, to do away with bleaching-powder chambers heretofore used, and to enable the production of a large amount of bleaching-powder in a compact apparatus by removing the heat evolved. in the reaction.

With these objects in view the invention consists in certain novel steps in the process of making chlorin, as hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of my improved apparatus in position for use. Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views of the furnace, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the absorber.

My improved process is to be carried out in combination with the ammonia-soda process. In the latter process brine saturated with ammonia is treated with carbonic-acid gas. Sodium bicarbonate is precipitated and ammonium colorid and undeoomposed salt are left in solution. From this solution pure solid ammonium chlorid is produced by freezing or evaporation, which forms the raw material for the process to be hereinafter described. A metallic oxid, preferably magnesium oxid, is mixed by mechanical means with ammonium chlorid. This mixture is passed continuously through a retortfurnace. At the same time carbonic-acid or nitrogen gas is drawn from the discharge end to the feed end thereof. This gas containing ammonia vapors is drawn from the furnace through condensers, and a slight vacuum will be maintained in the whole apparatus. The magnesium oxid, which has been partly converted into magnesium chlorid during the passage through the furnace, is continuously charged into another retort-furnace, preferably on a lower level than the first and preferably of larger size. Heated air is passed into the lower end of the lower furnace, and the oxygen of the atmosphere decomposes the magnesium chlorid, which is heated to darkred heat in the furnace. Chlorin escapes fromthe higher end of the lower furnace, and magnesium oxid is discharged at the lower end of the furnace and'is again utilized in carrying out the process. The reactions which take place in the upper furnace can be expressed thus:

Ammonium chlorid is raised and deposited into a hopper 1 by means of an elevator 2 and magnesium oxid is elevated from a hopper 3 and deposited into a hopper 4, said hoppers 1 and 4 being preferably disposed side by side above the inlet or charging end of the upper furnace A. Screw conveyers 5 and 6 deliver the tWo materialsviz., ammonium chlorid and magnesium oxidinto a hopper 7. The speed of the conveyers is so regulated that hopper 7 contains a mixture of chlorid and oxid suitable for the process. A large excess of magnesium oxid over that required in the above equation is used chiefly for the purpose of preventing a sintering of the magnesium chlorid in the lower furnace and also for the purpose of reaching a complete elimination of ammonia in the upper furnace. and ammonium chlorid in hopper 7 is so regulated that the material which is discharged from furnace A contains one part of magne- The mixture of magnesium oxid IOO or tubes 10 of the cooler, which are surround-- ed by cold water entering through a pipe 11 and having its exit at 12. The object of the cooler is to cool the gases and to remove any ammonium chlorid which may escape undecomposed. For this latter purpose water is run into the top of the cooler through pipes 13 and allowed to run through the pipes or tubes 10 and wash out the ammonia and run off at 14. To insure a complete condensation of the chlorid vapors, the spaces 15 above and below the pipes or tubes 10 are filled with porous material, such as coke or wood. The ammonia-gas leaves the cooler through a pipe 16 and enters a scrubber'l7 or another washing apparatus for absorbing the ammonia. In the drawings I have shown a scrubber of ordinary construction, through which water or any other absorbing liquid is circulated. In order to assist the evolution and complete elimination of ammonia, a gas may be circulated through the furnace and the condensing apparatus, which has no decomposing action on ammonia, and magnesium chlorid. Such a gas may be obtained in the shape of waste gas in the ammonia-soda process, andconsists mostly of nitrogen and contains somecarbonicoxidand carbonicacid. Instead of the waste gas above mentioned gas from a limekiln or any other gas containing carbonic acid can be used,in which case the ammonia is obtained as carbonate. The apparatus is usually worked in sucha manner that always the same gas is circulating and only losses are made up by drawing gas from a gas-holder connected with scrubber 17 at 18. A pump 19 draws the gas from the scrubber 17 and delivers it to the upper furnaceA through a pipe 20. A slight vacuum will be maintained in the whole apparatus. If the vacuum rises above one inch, measured at the charging end of the furnace, gas will be drawn in at 18 from the gas holder, preferably through a reducing-valve of any preferred form of construction. The presence of oxygen in the gas circulating through the apparatus must be strictly avoided, because it will destroy some of the ammonia. mechanically in carrying off ammonia. For the purpose of hydrating some of the magnesia in the parts of the furnace where most 'of the ammonia is evolved steam is introduced through pipe 21, which terminates about centrally between the ends of the furnace. The steam is not introduced near the discharge end of the furnace, because it is desirable to prevent moisture being retained in the material. The reason for introducing steam between the ends of the furnace or container in which the ammonia is involved is to hydrate the magnesium in the cooler parts of the furnace, and thus facilitate the reaction, which can in this case be expressed The gas acts It may be here stated that ammonia can to a certain extent be eliminated without circulating gas or introducing steam; butthe use of the latter is preferable, both for preventing loss of ammonia and for facilitating reaction.

The hoppers 1, 4:, and 7 are connected at 22 to the pipe 8, leading into the condensers, so to draw off any ammonia-gas which may be evolved from these vessels. All the elevators and hoppers are preferably made of iron and are made air-tight.

The gas circulating through the apparatus can be heated in Cowper or other stoves before entering the furnace at 23, and thus all or part of the heat necessary for the reaction can be supplied in this way. If a sufficient volume of gas free from oxygen can be easily procured to supply all the heat, a furnace with a solid lining instead of with a lining constructed'with heating-fines might be used.

The furnaceA is the same in construction as the furnace B, which is used for the evolution of chlorin, and a detailed description of which will be hereinafter given; but the furnace A is smaller than furnace B.

I Instead of arranging the furnace A above the furnace B both furnaces may be disposed on the same plane, if desired; but this would require an additional hopper and elevator to raise the material into hopper 24.

As stated when describing the action of furnace A, part or -all the heat can be supplied also to furnace B by preheating the air in hotair stoves. In such cases, and especially if an excess of air is not objectionablesuch as in the manufacture of chlorate of potash, where the chlorin is absorbed by milk of 1imefurnaces with solid lining can be used.

The material which is continuously discharged from furnace A consists of magnesium chlorid and oxid and runs continuously into hopper 24, from which it is continuously fed into furnace B by means of a conveyer 25. In the furnace B chlorin is evolved by the action of oxygen on the chlorid. The reactions in the lower furnace may be expressed as follows:

The magnesium oxid which is formed in the furnace B is continuously discharged from the furnace into hopper 3, from which it is elevated to hopper 1, as previously explained. Air enters the furnace B at 26 and chlorin gas leaves it at 27. The chlorin gas passes through two scrubbers 28 28 into a chlorin-absorber C, where it is absorbed by lime and is converted into bleaching-powder. With the absorber a suction fan or pump 29 is connected and serves to draw oif the waste gases and creates a slight vacuum in the entire apparatus, as above intimated. I

The scrubbers 28 28 are of the ordinary construction used in chlorin works. In the first scrubber any hydrochloric acid is washed out by water and in the second scrubber the IIC chlorin gas is dried by means of strong sulfuricacid. At the same time t he gas is cooled (by radiation) during passage through pipes and scrubber.

Each furnace A and B is revolnbly mounted and provided with flues 30 in the periphery, which lines may be conveniently formed by channeled tiles 31. vided with lifting-partitions 32 for agitating or showering the materiah Each furnace is also provided with a fire-chamber 33 at one end, said fire chamber having perforated crowns 34 35, beneath which a gas-jet 36 is projected. Two flue-rings 37 38 are located on the periphery of the furnace, the one near the discharge end having communication with the fire-chamber and the one near the inlet or charge end of the furnace being in communication with the chimney 39. The annular lines 40 extend around the periphery and are preferably formed by two rings spaced apart and encircled by a ring 4l,which rests on the pedestal, said ring 41 being also made in two parts secured together. By this arrangement ready access may be had to the annular fines, the latter being always in communication with the longitudinal fines 30. The tiregases pass from the fire-chamber through the perforated crowns into the annular fines and thence through the longitudinal lines. The furnace carries at the charging end a plate 42, against which a stationary plate 43 is located, and through the latter the conveyors and the gas-pipe enter, said gaspipe of furnace B being lettered 4A: in the drawings. The plate 43 is made of as smalldiameter as possible, so as to reduce leakage to a minimum. The discharge end of the furnace is closed by a plate 45, to which is fastened the entrance-pipe 20 of furnace A and 26 of furnace B. The pipe 20 (furnace A) is connected by a turning joint 47 with the stationary main. The material is discharged from the respective furnaces through holes 48 in the plate 45. To prevent leakage of gas, a stationary hollow or chambered ring 49'is made to bear closely against the plate 45 and communicate with all the holes therein. The hollow rings 49 are connected by suitable pipes with the hoppers below them.

Each revoluble furnace A B is supported by rollers 50 and kept in position by means of.\lshaped rollers 51. The furnaces may be slowly revolved by means of worm-gear or in any other preferredmanner.

The chlorin-absorber O, hereinbefore referred to, consists, preferably, of an iron cylind er mounted and revolved in the same manner as the furnaces A and B. The absorber is fitted with iron pipes 52, which run through the end plates 53 54:, and these pipes act in two ways: they lift and shower the litne and they are also used for cooling, to carry off the heat formed by the combination of lime and chlorin. For this purpose the pipes are open at both ends, so as to allow a free fiow of'air through them. The discharge end of Each furnace is pro l the absorber .is surrounded by a casing 55, which is in connection with a chimney to increase the draft. If necessary, water can be circulated through these pipes. The cylinder is also fitted with radial liftirig-partitions 56. The charging end of the absorber is the same as the furnaces A and Lime is contin uously fed from a hopper 57 through conveyer 58 into the absorber and leaves it as bleaching-powder at 59.

My improved process can be used for decomposing chlorid of magnesium obtained from other sources than by deco m posing chlorid of ammonia. In this case the furnace A is unnecessary and the arrangement of furnace B is exactly as described, the only difference being that the hoppers 1 and 4 and miXing-conveyers 5 and 6 are placed above the hopper 24. The hopperl contains in that case magnesium chlorid instead of ammonium-chlorid. The conveyers 5 and 6 will be so regulated that the hopper 2% contains a material of similar composition as when decomposing ammonium chlorid. The magnesium oxid produced in furnace B can then be used in other industries.

The hoppers 24: and 3 are used so that furnace B can be operated during short stoppages of furnace A, and vice versa.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In the process of obtaining chlorin the passing chlorid of ammonium and oxid of magnesium in a finely divided condition through a container, heating the compound; passing gas through the container in the opposite direction to drive off the ammonia; separating the ammonia from said gas and then again passing said gas through the container to drive off ammonia, substantially as set forth.

2. In the process of obtaining chlorin, the herein-described subprocess, which consists in agitating chlorid of ammonium and oXid of magnesium, simultaneously heating the same at a constant temperature; conducting gas through the same; subsequently subjecting the resultant compound at a constant, but higher temperature to the action of air, the operations being carried on continuously and simultaneously.

3. In the process of obtaining chlorin, the herein -described subprocess consisting in passing chlorid of ammonium and oxid of magnesium in a finely divided condition through a heated container; driving off the ammonia; discharging the resultant mixture of chlorid and oxid of magnesium into another heated container and injecting air into said last-mentioned container to decompose said chlorid of magnesium and drive off the chlorin, the operation being carried on contin uonsly, substantially as set forth.

4:. In the process of obtaining chlorin, the herein described subprocess consisting in herein-described subprocess, consisting in passing chlorid of ammonium and oxid of magnesium in a finelydivided condition through a heated container; driving oif the ammonia; discharging the resultant mixture of chlorid and oxid of magnesium into another container; injecting airinto said second cylinder to decompose said chlorid of magnesium therein and drive off the chlorin, and again passing the resultant oxid of magnesium with chloridof ammonium through the first container the operation being carried on continuously, substantially as set forth.

5. The herein-described process consisting in passing chlorid of ammonium and oxid of magnesium ina finely-divided condition through a heated container; driving off the ammonia; discharging the resultant mixture I ing Witnesses.

' '7. In the process of obtaining chlorin, the

herein described subprocess consisting in passing a mixture of chlorid and oxid of magnesium in a finely-divided condition continu-,

ously through acontainer and, injecting contin uously heated air into said container to decompose the chlorid of magnesium and drive off the chlorin, substantially as set forth.

8. In a process for obtaining chlorin, the subprocess of evolving ammonia from ammoniu m chlorid,which consists in gradually heating a mixture of said chlorid and magnesium oxid in contact with steam and afterward heating the mixture further without contact of steam.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscrib- PAUL NAEF.

Witnesses:

GEO. FrDOWNING, R. S. FERGUSON. 

